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Firms unready for mental illness Firms unready for mental illness
(about 15 hours later)
Small businesses need more support from the government to manage staff with mental health problems, says the Disability Rights Commission (DRC).Small businesses need more support from the government to manage staff with mental health problems, says the Disability Rights Commission (DRC).
The disability watchdog says that unless this happens, plans to reduce the number of incapacity benefit claimants will fail.The disability watchdog says that unless this happens, plans to reduce the number of incapacity benefit claimants will fail.
The DRC surveyed almost 850 businesses employing between 10 and 199 staff.The DRC surveyed almost 850 businesses employing between 10 and 199 staff.
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) says many smaller firms need more guidance on how they can help staff.The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) says many smaller firms need more guidance on how they can help staff.
'Wake-up call''Wake-up call'
The GfK NOP survey found that two thirds of businesses had no procedures in place for managing people with mental health problems.The GfK NOP survey found that two thirds of businesses had no procedures in place for managing people with mental health problems.
The DRC says that the findings are "a wake-up call" for the government because 40% of the 1m people that it wants to get off incapacity benefit and back into work have mental health conditions.The DRC says that the findings are "a wake-up call" for the government because 40% of the 1m people that it wants to get off incapacity benefit and back into work have mental health conditions.
Researchers found that more than 80% of employers would welcome a free helpline and more than two thirds felt that a free counselling service for employees would be helpful.Researchers found that more than 80% of employers would welcome a free helpline and more than two thirds felt that a free counselling service for employees would be helpful.
We need to recognise that mental ill health is now operating as a badge of exclusion from the labour market Bert Massie, Disability Rights CommissionWe need to recognise that mental ill health is now operating as a badge of exclusion from the labour market Bert Massie, Disability Rights Commission
Managers were more reluctant to make adjustments for a new employee with a mental health condition than for an existing member of staff.Managers were more reluctant to make adjustments for a new employee with a mental health condition than for an existing member of staff.
Almost 15% of the companies surveyed had had staff off work with mental health problems in the past year, almost three quarters of whom had returned to work.Almost 15% of the companies surveyed had had staff off work with mental health problems in the past year, almost three quarters of whom had returned to work.
"We need to recognise that mental ill health is now operating as a badge of exclusion from the labour market in the same way that race and gender once did," said DRC chairman, Bert Massie."We need to recognise that mental ill health is now operating as a badge of exclusion from the labour market in the same way that race and gender once did," said DRC chairman, Bert Massie.
"If the government's welfare reform programme is to succeed, it needs to tackle this lack of confidence among employers about recruiting staff who have a mental health condition.""If the government's welfare reform programme is to succeed, it needs to tackle this lack of confidence among employers about recruiting staff who have a mental health condition."
Better adviceBetter advice
The DRC says that with better advice and support, employers would be less fearful of taking on someone with mental health problems and employees would be more likely to disclose their condition.The DRC says that with better advice and support, employers would be less fearful of taking on someone with mental health problems and employees would be more likely to disclose their condition.
As well as a free helpline for employers, the DRC says the government should be offering counselling, better training for Job Centre staff and should run campaigns to encourage good practice among employers.As well as a free helpline for employers, the DRC says the government should be offering counselling, better training for Job Centre staff and should run campaigns to encourage good practice among employers.
And it says that people with mental health problems should have better access to skills training.And it says that people with mental health problems should have better access to skills training.
The CBI says that employers accept that they have a key role to play in supporting staff with mental health issues.The CBI says that employers accept that they have a key role to play in supporting staff with mental health issues.
"The majority already offer counselling, assistance with rehabilitation and stress management policies," said CBI director of human resources, Susan Anderson."The majority already offer counselling, assistance with rehabilitation and stress management policies," said CBI director of human resources, Susan Anderson.
"But the government can also make a great difference outside the workplace, for example by helping improve the skills of those with mental ill health.""But the government can also make a great difference outside the workplace, for example by helping improve the skills of those with mental ill health."
Allowing an employee who is unable to travel in the rush hour to work flexi-time, are among the adjustments that businesses can make for staff with mental health conditions. Allowing an employee who is unable to travel in the rush hour to work flexi-time or giving time off for medical appointments are among the adjustments that businesses can make for staff with mental health conditions.
The government said that while attitudes to the workplace were changing, the process was not happening fast enough.The government said that while attitudes to the workplace were changing, the process was not happening fast enough.
"We are working with employers to help change attitudes and provide them with the necessary support so they have the confidence to employ people, regardless of their disability or health concern," a spokesman said."We are working with employers to help change attitudes and provide them with the necessary support so they have the confidence to employ people, regardless of their disability or health concern," a spokesman said.